Vigor of Twelve is a play off of the fact that Jesus had twelve disciples. It is a name that helps stress an importance on discipleship. This blog is specifically geared for younger people and mature Christians who don't mind a fresh, bold, and blunt approach to faith. Comments welcome, let's begin the discussion!

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Thursday, October 13, 2016

Revelation 2:12-17

Revelation 2:12-17

And write to the messenger of the assembly
in Pergamum. The one who has the sharp
double-edged broad sword says these things.
I have known where you made a home, where the throne of Satan is. And you are strong enough to grab the name of
mine and not deny my faith even in the day of Antipas, my witness – my faithful
one – who was killed among you where Satan makes a home. But I have a few things against you: that you
have some there who are strong enough to grab the teaching of Balaam who was
teaching Balak to throw a stumbling block in the presence of the sons of Israel
to eat offerings sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. In this manner you even have those having the
strength to grab the teaching similar of the Nicolaitans. Therefore, repent. And if you do not, I come to you quickly and
I will combat with them by using the broad sword of my mouth. The ones who have and ear hear what the
spirit says to the assemblies. To the
one who conquers I will give to him of the manna which has been hidden and I
will give to him a brilliant stone. And
upon the stone a new name has been written that nobody has known except the one
who receives.

Thoughts
for Today

First Thought:

As we look at the church of Pergamum, Jesus once more gives
a very profound identity. Jesus is the
one who has a double-edged sword. For what
are double edged swords used? They
really only have one major function: cutting and slicing. Double edged swords are a weapon. They are used for attack and defense. The people of the church of Pergamum should
take notice. When Jesus wants to reflect
an identity to them, it is an identity of battle, warfare, and conflict. I believe that this is a warning. We don’t get a kind and loving reminder of
Jesus and eternal life. Instead, we get
an image of battle and a tool designed to cut things away.

How do you react to this image of Jesus? Which image do you prefer: the warlike Jesus
or the Jesus who holds all things in His hand?
How do you think you would react to someone reminding you that Jesus is
a warlike, powerful being?

Second Thought:

When it comes to the words of compliment, you should not be
surprised to hear that these words are sparse.
Why else would Jesus wants to remind them that He could cut the people
of Pergamum away unless He didn’t have very many complimentary things to say
about them? So what do they have going
for them? Well, they are bold enough to
try and be faithful in a place that is running rampant in the ways of
Satan. In the midst of such rebellion,
they are not willing to deny the name of God.
That is something. In fact, that
has been enough to keep them from being cut away! In order to stay in the Lord, we must have a
solid foundation resting completely upon God.

Where is your foundation?
How willing are you to dwell in the midst of sinfulness and remain
faithful to God? How could this produce
a challenge to life?

Third Thought:

Now we turn to the list of complaints
and the challenge. The list is
long. There are a number of people in
their presence who are willing to place stumbling blocks in front of other
people. There are people who are actively
willing to live idolatrous lives. They
are willing to fornicate. There are
people who are holding to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (Remember, that is likely the teaching that
the religious elite are more holy than the rest of the people.) So what is the challenge? They need to repent. If they don’t, Jesus promises to come to them
with that double edged sword of His and contend against them. To those who repent and stay faithful, they
are told that they will receive true manna from heaven and give them a new name
which only God knows.

What are your idols in life? Are you willing to repent of the rest of the
sin in your life? How might you respond
to the challenge of Jesus? How can you
stay faithful in your life?